MANILA – University of the Philippines reclaimed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball title after edging La Salle, 66-62, in the rubber match of the finals in front of 25,248 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday night.

Francis Lopez, whose missed free throws and crucial turnover cost the Fighting Maroons the Game 2 win on Wednesday night, sank the triple that gave them a 64-60 lead with 1:12 left in the game.

EJ Gollena tried to keep the Green Archers in the game after hitting a layup off a Maroons turnover to cut the lead to 64-62 with 46.6 seconds remaining.

Quentin Millora-Brown then made two clutch free throws that upped the lead back to four even as Gollena missed two charities of his own that sealed La Salle's fate.

Millora-Brown had 14 points and 10 rebounds to pace UP, which won its second men's basketball pennant in four seasons and fourth overall since co-founding the UAAP in 1938.

Despite turning the ball over nine times, Lopez and JD Cagulangan each added 12 points, with Lopez displaying a solid all-around performance with 11 rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal.

Cagulangan, who also tallied two rebounds, four assists, and three steals, was named Finals Most Valuable Player.

Mike Phillips put up 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal for La Salle, which failed to duplicate its title win over UP last year.

In what may be his final UAAP game ahead of a rumored move to join the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League, Kevin Quiambao produced 13 points and four rebounds off the bench for the Green Archers.

The scores:

UP 66 – Millora-Brown 14, Lopez 12, Cagulangan 12, Abadiano 9, Alarcon 7, Fortea 4, Stevens 4, Torres 2, Ududo 2, Felicilda 0, Bayla 0, Torculas 0.

DLSU 62 – Phillips 18, Quiambao 13, David 6, Macalalag 6, Agunnane 5, Ramiro 5, Austria 3, Gollena 2, Rubico 2, Dungo 2, Marasigan 0, Gonzales 0.

Quarters: 21-21, 42-36, 56-50, 66-62 (PNA)